Students push political agendas after election

During this time last year, IU organizations were by the sides of Barack Obama and John McCain during one of the toughest presidential elections to date.

“Last year, this was pretty much crunch time with late nights, campaigning basically 24 hours a day, handing out educated pamphlets and last-minute phone calls,” said
AnnElyse Gibbons, IU College Democrats president and debate participant.

The IU College Democrats and the IU College Republicans said they are trying to stay active on campus by having political events.

“We have a stronger membership because of how much people disagree on the issues of the President and Congress,” said Justin Hill, chairman of the IU College Republicans.

A discussion between the IU College Republicans and the IU College Democrats will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 11 in the Kelley School of Business 109.

The format will focus on three health care reform topics: including private industry and the public option, funding and cost and current public medical systems.

Professor Michael Grossberg will moderate the discussion, and audience participation will be encouraged, but seats are limited.

“We always like interacting with the College Republicans’ views and let them know why we believe our views are better for our country,” IU College Democrats Vice President Daniel Herman said.

Both have kept up with trying to fundraise for the House of Representatives election that occurs every two years.

“It is important to prepare for 2010 and save money,” Hill said. “We are always in campaign mode.”

This year the College Republicans have also begun a political film series. One of the movies that they will screen is about America’s missile defense system.

Herman said College Democrats are in a calm stage until spring semester, when they start campaigning for Rep. Baron Hill’s reelection.

“Baron Hill was the first person to support Obama, so he has a lot of ties to the administration,” Herman said. “There will be a lot of handing out flyers and door-knocking.”  

Gibbons said College Democrats have started a political blog on their Web site and welcomed several speakers, including Bloomington hospital workers, to discuss health care reform.

He said interest has arisen with freshmen who did not have the chance to work on the campaign last year.

“They finally get the chance to be on a college campus where people are energized,” she said.